Wilson excited by Falcons potential

Flanker Mark Wilson insists the youthful nature of their pack means the future is incredibly bright for Newcastle Falcons.

The Falcons currently sit tenth in the Aviva Premiership Rugby table but have won three of their last six league matches after ending a run of 20 straight losses in the competition.

In last weekend’s narrow 15-7 loss to Harlequins, six of their starting eight forwards were aged 25 or under and it is this fact in particular which has 25-year-old Wilson excited about the direction the club is heading in.

And while the Newcastle pack is already more than holding its own, Wilson claims that the best is yet to come.

“I don’t want to speak for the coaches but I think they are happy with the options that we have got at the club, especially in the pack,” he said.

“We are all still learning as well – myself and Will Welch have got a little bit more experience but even younger guys like Dom Barrow, Scott Wilson and George McGuigan have proven they can compete at this level.

“Hopefully we can keep performing and continue this good thing that we have got going at the club. As a pack we want to keep improving.

“We are hard-working but can also provide a bit of class and an X-factor, so it’s all really promising for the future.”

Wilson has appeared in all but one of Newcastle’s Aviva Premiership Rugby games this season.

His impressive performances have seen him touted for a call-up to the England Saxons squad – something he admits would be an honour.

But in the short-term, the Kendal-born flanker admits he is more concerned with shooting the Falcons up the league table and building on the Quins loss.

“We weren’t quite clinical enough against Harlequins – we made 11 line breaks which was phenomenal against such a good team and it’s just about being more clinical,” he added.

“We were disappointed with the result but that just shows how far we’ve come as a team.

“Our focus is more performance-based than setting targets – it’s what we can do to keep performing well in matches.

“If we improve our performances then that will lead to more positive results and picking up points. If we keep performing well then the results will take care of themselves.

“It is really nice to hear people talk about me potentially being called up for the Saxons but I can’t let it bother me too much.

“The best way to get involved is to keep playing well for the club and that is what I’m focused on.”